DEVIZES TOWN 2 RADSTOCK TOWN 0

Radstock Town signed off an eventful 2018 with an uninspiring defeat at Nursteed Road, in the Toolstation Western League First Division.

The home side made the brighter start, enjoying much of the early possession, but Radstock acquitted themselves well, battling against a physical Devizes side that has earned a reputation in the Western League as a combative team that is difficult to break down.

Having weathered the early storm, Radstock showed signs of growing into the game after half-an-hour, with Simon Millard and Sam Gregory combining well. However, the Miners lacked the cutting edge needed to get behind the Devizes defence. The home side wrestled back the initiative on 38 minutes, with an individual piece of brilliance from Devizes forward, Rob Mitchell.

Mitchell, with his back to the goal, a full 35 yards out, turned the Miners’ defence, dragging the ball wide of the oncoming Jack Scrivens, cutting back into six yards and drilling home a confident finish.

Radstock pushed for an equaliser before half-time, but their high line left them exposed to the counter-attack, and Devizes had a glorious chance to double their lead when a Radstock corner resulted in a breakaway that saw the hosts only denied a second by the thickness of the post.

The rapidly-plummeting temperatures undoubtedly contributed to the second half being a much more tentative affair than the first. Radstock never managed to wrestle away the initiative from their hosts, with Devizes nearly scoring a second on 57 minutes, denied only by the indefatigable commitment of the Miners’ Captain, Jack Metcalf.

Despite their slender lead, the home side never looked out of control, and finally found their second goal of the afternoon in the final minute of normal time, when Cullen Wylie picked up on a loose ball in the Radstock box to ensure Devizes took all three points.

The Miners may have finished 2018 with a defeat, but players, management and supporters alike will all be looking forward to a brighter future in 2019.

Ian Nockolds